Improving access to health information: how can we do better?
by Neil Pakenham-Walsh and Fred Bukachi This special issue of the INASP Newsletter is dedicated to the “Global Review on Access to Health Information in Developing Countries”, a major initiative proposed by representatives of 20 leading health organisations worldwide (see box on inside cover). The Review aims to assess progress over the last 10 years, lessons learned and ways forward to improve access to relevant healthcare information. The Global Review started with the publication of a discussion paper in The Lancet (July 2004). The paper points out that much has been achieved over the last 10 years, but that the majority of the world’s healthcare providers remain isolated from the information they need. It suggests “the system” isn’t working and emphasises the need for greater understanding. It says a Global Initiative is required to address information needs and it calls on WHO to champion the road to “Universal Access to essential health information by 2015”. The papers in this is
